Construction of the first solar energy plants for the southern group of the Cook Islands is set to begin in the second quarter of 2016. The $US13 million project will initially involve the completion of solar plants on Mauke, Mitiaro, Mangaia and Atiu. The Cook Islands News reports some work will be done on Aitutaki and Rarotonga, but the solar plants on the country’s most populated islands are unlikely to be completed until 2020, the government’s ambitious target date for the country being 100 per cent reliant on renewable energy. Government engineers, working in conjunction with Asian Development Bank staff, are currently working on the design of the plants, which like those already built in the northern group, will provide island residents with 24-hour electricity. Funding for the project is being provided by the Asian Development Bank, the European Union and the Japanese government. Originally from Radio New...

The Cook Islands Renewable Energy Division has put out tenders for a power upgrade on the island of Atiu. Aiming to end power outages and weak connections in Atiu with an extra four kilometres of high voltage cables and two kilometres of low voltage cables installed. The Cook Islands News quotes the project manager Ngateina Rani says the upgrade will allow the people of Atiu a more secure power source without the outages they commonly suffer. He says it might not curb the depopulation of the island, but at least a lack of power won’t be the reason people leave. Originally from Radio New Zealand...

Construction of the first solar energy plants for the southern group of the Cook Islands is set to begin in the second quarter of 2016. The $US13 million project will initially involve the completion of solar plants on Mauke, Mitiaro, Mangaia and Atiu. The Cook Islands News reports some work will be done on Aitutaki and Rarotonga, but the solar plants on the country’s most populated islands are unlikely to be completed until...

The Cook Islands Renewable Energy Division has put out tenders for a power upgrade on the island of Atiu. Aiming to end power outages and weak connections in Atiu with an extra four kilometres of high voltage cables and two kilometres of low voltage cables installed. The Cook Islands News quotes the project manager Ngateina Rani says the upgrade will allow the people of Atiu a more secure power source without the outages they commonly...

More than 1,000 solar panels are officially working in the northern Cook Islands of Penrhyn and Manihiki. The project is expected to provide 95% of the electricity and give power to more than 230 buildings. This is a $250 million investment in the Cook Islands which alreadyÂ has solar panels in many isles. New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said, â€œThese projects will save approximately 230,000 litres of imported diesel per...